Cardinal Connections

Liz Osnes: Contributions On The Home Front

Editor’s Note — This is a behind the scenes look from the perspective of local coaches’ wives as part of a Mother’s Day tribute series. FARMINGTON — Liz Osnes is connected with an extended family that includes 25 adopted daughters every spring softball season and the rest of Farmington’s coaches and their spouses.

“Half the town was there at the state football playoff game at Malvern. I’ve never seen another school that has the support we do,” Osnes said, adding, “At the state basketball finals, we had the stands full of red and white. It was awesome.”

Osnes said when the Lady Cardinals travel to 7A schools, they tend to have more fans than their opponents from the larger schools. Osnes is the wife of Farmington head softball and golf coach Randy Osnes. The couple have a trio of children, Shambrey, 25; Austin, 21; and Madison, 11; who, her father says, is going on 22.

“She thinks she’s a lot older than she is. Being around the softball girls has definitely influenced her in a positive way,” Liz Osnes said.

Madison asks a lot of questions and according to her mother is very good at asking why the game is going in a certain direction.

“She is very competitive and doesn’t like it when they lose,” Osnes said, adding, “She gets that from me and her dad.”

For her part, Madison said one of her favorite activities is she really likes to get her nails done together with her mother. Madison likes to have her nails done pink.

Osnes said the local media has been good to Farmington athletics. She said after the merger that combined the majority of NWA media into a single company, there was a little bit of a disconnect, but then it quickly picked back up.

“Of all the small schools in Northwest Arkansas, we get good attention. The media has done a great job for all the accomplishments Farmington has,” Osnes said.

Osnes is quick to point to the players for helping her husband win Coach of the Year in 2011.

“His accomplishments are due to the girls. The media is very good about focusing in on the girls,” Osnes said.

Osnes doesn’t feel on display as the coach’s wife.

“In the community, we’re all friends. I’ve never felt like people are watching the moves I make,” Osnes said.

When Farmington gets beat, Osnes said she learned in her second year of marriage never to question anything.

“I didn’t need to question everything that was going on. The next day when he’s cooled down, it’s OK, but that night give him some time,” Osnes said.

Osnes said the softball team enjoys solid parental support, mentioning Pam Center, mother of Farmington senior catcher, Kendra Center.

“We couldn’t make it without Pam, she takes care of the concession stand keeping it filled and scheduling parents to work in it,” Osnes said, adding, “Our roles are easy because of parents who take care of the concession stand. They sign up and we’ve never had a problem asking for help.”

On senior night, the team presented framed jerseys to four soon-to-be-graduating seniors purchased with funds raised by the team, keeping alive a tradition Randy Osnes has maintained since taking over the program.

Osnes said coaches’ wives can get so close to players they can feel like a parent on senior night.

“You feel sad cause they’re moving on, but it’s a joy to watch these games,” Osnes said.

“When we lose kids, a lot of times we lose parents, they’re not around anymore,” Osnes said, explaining those relationships are important to coaching families.

“Our children love going to the games. We always make time to get together as a family during the season, whether it is going to dinner or just hanging out at home,” Osnes said.

Osnes said one of our family’s favorite quotes is, “If winning wasn’t important, they wouldn’t keep score.”

“We are a very competitive family, but we always have fun as long as we are together,” Osnes said.

MARK HUMPHREY